End of Event Survey

          

• Which hour was most daunting for you? Hour 1. I started with a book I had previously been unable to finish. I may need to re-evaluate that strategy in April. Unfinished books are a great idea for the readathon tbr pile. Books that I am unable to finish because reading them is like plodding through the densest forest only to be trapped in quicksand = not a good idea.

• Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? The Vegetarian by Han Kang, Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman.

• Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next season? I like that there are many platforms on which to participate, but it would be very nice if for one hour everyone posted on one platform. The actual website would be nice since everyone doesn't use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Litsy, or Pinterest.

• What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? The Facebook group worked very well this year.  Veteran readathoners and first-timers both seemed to enjoy the platform. 

• How many books did you read? I read two books.

• What were the names of the books you read? I read The Noticer by Andy Andrews, and Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman.

• Which book did you enjoy most? Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik BackmanWhich did you enjoy least? The Noticer by Andy Andrews.

• How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? I will most likely participate again. I like being a reader and a cheerleader. At some point in my readathon career, I would like to write a warm-up post, and host a mini-challenge.

Mid- Event Survey

1. What are you reading right now? I am reading Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman

2. How many books have you read so far? Two

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Black Panther and A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? I have today off from work, but I've still had far too many interruptions for my liking. I dealt with the interruptions by  dealing with work "emergencies" as quickly as possible and returning to readathon land.

5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? I am most surprised by my slow reading pace this readathon. I am enjoying readathon as always, but I am reading much more slowly.

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon - October 2016

Opening Event Questions

What fine part of the world are you reading from today? 

I am reading from Denver, Colorado United States of America.

Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? 

I have several stacks; fiction, non-fiction, young adult, middle grade, audio, and graphic novels. I am looking forward to books from each stack, but I think the book I am most looking forward to this year readathon is Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman

Which snack are you most looking forward to?

I am most looking forward to wasabi flavored nori.

Tell us a little something about yourself? 

My bio pretty much says it all. I am a Christian Friend, former educator, reference librarian, and labyrinth walker.

If you participated in the last readathon, what's one thing you'll do differently today? 

Today I am reading away from home. Last year, I introduced a friend to the wonderful world of readathon. She stayed at my home and we had a readathon/slumber party minus the slumber. This year, she is hosting the party. I packed an overnight bag, must-have snacks (tuna fish, crackers, hot spiced apple cider), and two bags of books. 1 graphic novel, 2 audiobooks, and 18 print books. One huge perk of reading with a friend is double the stacks of books.

One Small Step Can Change Your Life... Library Style

One of my small steps for the month of October has been to update my top 3 most used resources.

1. When you have a student who needs to research a topic: Dewey Digger "Explore knowledge via the Dewey Decimal Classification"

2. For the customer who has read every cozy mystery that you recommend and your mind is now completely blank : cozy-mystery.com

3.  Need practical professional development, but you don't have much time: 5 minute Librarian "All you need to know in the time you have."

The 4th Quarter

I, like many, get excited for the first day of a new month. I like the idea of a fresh start, new beginnings and all of that, but the first day of October reminds me not only of beginnings, but also of endings, and the importance of both.

I am a basketball fan. I am a Knicks fan! One thing I love about the game of basketball is the intensity of the 4th Quarter. A team can play well for the first 3 quarters of the game, but if they don't come out with a game plan and finish strong that final quarter they can lose the game. Conversely, a team can struggle through the beginning of a game, but come out in the 4th quarter prepared to put in work, and finish the game strong to get a win. Both teams know this. Forget the fat lady and her songs, it is not over until that buzzer sounds.

New York Knicks v. Milwaukee Bucks, 1972 
Led by Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Bucks held an 18-point lead in Madison Square Garden with about six minutes to go. With no three-point line, the Knicks clawed their way back for a one-point win. The Knicks have heart. Did I mention that I am a Knicks fan?

The fourth quarter of the calendar year is October through December. Today, October 1st, is day one of the final quarter of 2016. I am prepared to finish strong. I have my plan - my 17 goals and tasks to complete before 2017. I have my team - my heavenly Father, my faith community, my #GirlTrek sisters. I have heart.